TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has stated that the root cause of the region's problems lies with nations such as the United States and some European countries, which, despite their claims of advocating for peace, are the primary sources of instability.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei made the remarks on Wednesday morning, where he met with hundreds of scientific elites, top Olympiad winners, and high-achieving university entrants.

He announced plans to address the nation soon about the ongoing crises in Gaza and Lebanon. 

"The only way to end the conflicts and wars in the region is to reduce the harmful influence of these countries," he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that the presence of the U.S. and certain European countries is the primary cause of conflicts and wars in the region. "These countries falsely speak of peace, but if their harmful influence is diminished, the region will see the end of its conflicts. The nations here are capable of managing their own affairs and coexisting in peace."

Khamenei concluded, "We hope, with God's grace and the determination of the Iranian nation, to work with other nations and reduce the influence of our enemies in this region."

During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed grief over the recent martyrdom of Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah chief. "We are in mourning these days, and I am personally deeply affected. The loss of Mr. Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah is no small tragedy."